Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Introducing Ommegang! Graduated, assymetric cables are the focus of this one. I love the mix of delicate curves in these, and how they play off one another when arranged in order of size and simplicity. It's a classic cabled tunic, but worked in a way that feels new and modern.

The complex cable panel and sleeve are balanced by stockinette on the other side of the sweater, and a tunic length reinforces the long lines of the cables.

The turtleneck is hen set off from the cabled body with a welt - which is a fun technique to use, and the detail works perfectly between ribbing and cables.

Ommegang is knit seamlessly from the bottom up, and it's easy to modify for either length or width if desired. Instructions for doing so are included, as always - and you can look at the test knits to see that my knitters have used these to create sweaters that work for each of them - from a hip length sweater to a dress! There are also instructions for both a turtleneck or a cowl in the pattern, so you can work whichever you prefer.

For yarn, I wanted a delicate, rustic feel to the sweater, but I wanted a big, cozy sweater that would feel soft and cushy. Bare Naked Wool's Stone Soup DK is a mix of 11 (yes, ELEVEN) different fibers that creates a beautiful yarn that knits up into that exact fabric with a touch of drape and a light, lofty feel. The shop is stocked up right now with eight beautiful, natural shades of the stuff.

Ommegang is available on Ravelry for $7.00, and will be added to the patterns page of the blog soon. Some details are below and the rest of the information, plus the test knits can be found on the Ravelry page.

Gauge: 5 sts /7 rows per
inch in stockinette and 5.5 sts/7 rows per 1” in ribbing. Cable gauges are given in pattern.

Needles: US#6/4 mm circular needle. Or size to get gauge.

I picked Ommegang as the name after trying a few of their beers, and visiting their brewery in NY State. Not only are all of their beers delicious, with layers of flavor and depth that you don't see coming, but they've put a modern brewing facility into an amazing old hops farm in upstate NY. They make traditional style beers with a nod to both the past and the modern drinker. Plus, I love the word. For a sweater that plays with traditional cables in a new way, knit in a beautiful yarn that uses fibers and combines them in ways we haven't seen before, I think it's perfect.

I'm making it right now -- gorgeous! Question: could stitches 10-11 on row 19 of the front cable chart mistakenly be written as k instead of p? It looks like they should match stitches 54-55 of row 19 on the back cable chart. Thanks!